Philippines part of B.C. trade mission

Premier Christy Clark is heading back to Asia for her seventh trade mission in May, skipping China and visiting the Philippines instead.

Beijing and Shanghai have been key stops for B.C. trade missions in recent years, but this time the May 23-31 tour includes Seoul, Tokyo and Manila.

“This trade mission will focus on strengthening trade and investment with priority markets in South Korea and Japan and developing new trade ties with the Philippines,” Clark said in a statement.

It’s Clark’s first visit to South Korea since Canada signed a free trade agreement with the government in 2015. The Philippines has expressed interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which does not include China or South Korea.

Participants in the TPP are Canada, the United States, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei and Vietnam.